Sydney Swans Head of Football Tom Harley has quashed any speculation surrounding the future of ruckman Kurt Tippett.
After a blistering start to the 2016 season Tippett was hampered by injury late in the season as he struggled to find consistent form.
Harley said there was no consideration at all given to any trade involving the 203cm big man.
“We wouldn’t consider it,” Harley said.
“We have Kurt absolutely as part of our future plans and I think it can be a bit of a throwaway line with Kurt and the salary.
“The salary is unknown other than by Kurt, his manager and the Club.”
Harley said Tippett had shown his value to the side during the first half of the season before he was struck down with a rare hamstring tendon injury.
“Prior to his injury this year he was actually coming third in the Club Champion and would have been in line for All Australian selection,” he said.
“He had a challenging back half of the year but he is definitely part of our future plans.
“No one has approached us and I spoke to his manager yesterday about other matters and it hasn’t been even mentioned at all.”
Sam Reid failed to play a game in 2016 after suffering calf and achillies injuries but is expected to be fully fit to join in day one of pre-season.
“We have spoken to his manager about what it looks like next year in terms of a contract extension,” Harley said.
“We absolutely missed Sam this year as he had a calf that evolved into an achillies.
“He is almost a new recruit into our forward line next year.”
Harley said injured defender Alex Johnson was making positive progress in his recovery from a fifth knee reconstruction and would be on the Club’s list next season.
“It is going to be a huge challenge for him but if we can get him back into our team and Sam Reid at centre half forward we think our team is improving a lot, “Harley said.’
“There has always been an agreement to do that, once we knew that he was up and going the contract is there.
“We are committed to Alex.”
Harley said new contract offers remain in front of Dean Towers and Toby Nankervis as the pair consider their futures.
